Applied Kinetic Arts will be at the Bay Area Maker Faire again this year next weekend, May 21st and 22nd, this time with a couple of new members: Colleen Paz and Benjamin Carpenter.
A few of us will be participating in a panel discussion at the Innovation Stage on Sunday the 22nd at noon until 1pm.

I’ve heard it said that if you can’t find anything interesting to see at Maker Faire, there is something seriously wrong with you.

Hope to see you there!

You gotta love this! Brilliant and funky at the same time. I’m impressed.

I keep a worn copy of 507 Mechanical Movements by Henry T Brown on my workbench. This book, published in 1868 and released by Dover for $7.95 ( probably the best 8 bucks I’ve ever spent ) is a gem.

One of my favorite techniques is to select a mechanism from the book as a starting point for a new piece or a section of a piece. The video below is a variation on mechanism #86:

It’s taken me a few days to get the trip lever to balance correctly with the addition of some gears from an ancient egg beater. I’m fairly happy with the result!

One thing about the rain rain, snow rain, slush outside; been spending lots of time in the shop. This week we are cooking up a new piece. Soul Geneva refers to a Geneva mechanism I picked up in my Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook. As the description mentions, it is a Gold Mine of information on Mechanical Design, Yee Haw! ( I clicked the “inspiration” category three times when I said that ).

Unknown Soul music from decades past keeps me happy while I work ( Thanks Brother Wayne! )

I was inspired by stream and lake trout fishing as a youth. I grew up spending time each summer fishing the streams and ponds around Turkey creek and Treasure Falls between Pagosa Springs and the Wolf Creek ski area of Colorado. I imagined a device that could process information related to the angler’s age old question, “Which lure to use today?” The question stayed with me. Fish Finder originated in 2001. I decided about 2004 that the sculpture had a great start, but was not complete. I’ve enjoyed finishing it this winter. Materials used include a bird skull given to me by one of my fishing buddies. He found it in a sunny spot in the dry spring snow melt. I did not tie the specific flys used in the sculpture but the ones I did put in I have used successfully all over Colorado. Fly tying techniques have been fun to use in making sculpture over the years. The bell jar has local plant matter in it. Other materials include stainless, aluminum, phenolic, carbon fiber, and brass. The reclaimed components came from several devices including a vacuum tube insulator, a lab glass bell jar, a portion of an MRI vacuum tube cathode. And a Rotary switch contact wheel from a mechanical city/ municipality water volume counting meter. Reclaimed from the Big Bend area of Texas. The original rack mounted aluminum case with door is from a 1950’s airport remote control relay panel, reclaimed from the Big Bend, Texas area as well.

Please see the HD video to fully appreciate this kinetic sculpture. Fish Finder complements a small body of related works seen here; Atomic and Marfa Light Repeater.

Fish Finder page on aaronristau.com

Additional build photos and video here

Materials used include a bird skull given to me by one of my fishing buddies. He found it in a sunny spot in the dry spring snow melt. I did not tie the specific flys used in the sculpture but the ones I did put in I have used successfully all over Colorado. Fly tying techniques have been fun to use in making sculpture over the years. The bell jar has local plant matter in it. Other materials include stainless, aluminum, phenolic, carbon fiber, and brass. The reclaimed components came from several devices including a vacuum tube insulator, a lab glass bell jar, a portion of an MRI vacuum tube cathode. And a Rotary switch contact wheel from a mechanical city/ municipality water volume counting meter. Reclaimed from the Big Bend area of Texas. The original rack mounted aluminum case with door is from a 1950’s airport remote control relay panel, reclaimed from the Big Bend, Texas area as well.

Please see the HD video to fully appreciate this kinetic sculpture. Fish Finder complements a small body of related works seen here; Atomic and Marfa Light Repeater.

Fish Finder page on aaronristau.com

That might be the title of my latest piece, something like “What does One Thing have to do with Another?” but I might not have enough room on the piece to write it all. The last two days in the shop have been very productive. The big highlights are a neat little wood block which turns 90 degrees for every 12 revolutions of the crank and the bell ringer. I’m finding easy ways to do things these days, a simple piece of spring wire keeps both this and the bell ringing ratchet in place.

Speaking of the ratchet on the right, it was tricky. There’s a sweet spot where the arm pushes the ratchet forward and I spent most of the afternoon adjusting things. Eventually I ended up making the horizontal movement which powers the whole thing go about 1/4 inch further to the right and that did the trick wonderfully.

Latest Kinetic Sculpture from Gina Kamentsky on Vimeo.

Video and better photos will have to wait until after I get back from a trip to Va.

Bollywood Math Problem II from Gina Kamentsky on Vimeo.

As far as what’s next, I’m going to try and create a bunch of new wall pieces and as soon as I’ve posted this, we’ll get started!

Thanks fellas be back ASAP

Miss Piggy spacecraft stomps through the universe in her spiked heels, out of control, sucking up all the oxygen from positive spaces. Absorbing the positive energy around her, after processing it, she disperses it in a chaotic fashion. This suspended sculpture, built around the shell of a recycled spot light, has multicolored lights indicating “me, me, me,” and features a rotating projection from below, and a plasma discharge engine for propulsion. 45 Watts total power.

Working on using a violin scroll for the head on the new piece.

Buggin out today. Furniture scraps and piano parts.

Here is the final video for my new piece “Leporid-Eye”.  You can see more images and details here.

Here is the final video for my new piece “Tightly Wound”.  You can find more images and info here.

The days haul in brief: gaudy furniture parts, push mower, vacuum cleaner, bull horns, neon sign transformer, various power supplies, copious amount of bubble wrap, etc.

Another day in paradise.

Here is an image of my display at SF20 at Fort Mason in SF through this weekend.  Lots of great stuff to see there.

I recently had the pleasure of drinking a margarita made in a rather unconventional way.  Thank you David Calkins.

Here’s a look under the hood. Gotta love old cell phone chargers.

Fine tuning ‘ol sour puss today. I hope to have it finished soon ( hope to have a better title too).

Here is another video of the piece I’ve been working on.  I’ve added an eyeball to the mix.  Enjoy.

Today’s weird donation: mystery “health device”. Thanks Wendell.

Yard sale. I don’t usually go for these, but this one is pretty classy and the price was right. We’ll see if I can come up with something worthwhile to do with it.

Red-eye Jedi.

Its the little things in life….

If you are anywhere near San Diego this weekend, find your way to “Creatures of Industry” at Device Gallery.  I’m showing with Greg Brotherton, Jeremy Mayer, and Guillermo Rigattieri.  

Working on a back lit eye socket.

Self portrait for the day.

Here we go again…

Here is a quick video test of an ear-wagging mechanism for my latest piece.

Gallery to Host Opening Reception August 13th

Loveland, Colo. (August 3rd, 2010) – Artist Aaron Ristau’s most recent artwork will be debuted to the public at his upcoming exhibition, “Aaron’s Art Lab 2010.”  Art Lab Loveland will host Ristau and his work at its gallery in downtown Loveland at 218 E. 4th St.  An opening night reception will be held on August 13th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

His new collection features technology recycled and re-crafted into sculpture.  More than 30 light and kinetic sculptures will be featured including a custom computer mouse, mechanical sculptures, a remote controlled spacecraft light sculpture, retro punk-style accessories, mobiles, floor lamps, wall sculptures, chandeliers and night lights.

Ristau’s art has previously been exhibited at several galleries throughout Texas and Colorado and featured at MAKE Magazine’s 2008 Maker Faire in Austin, Texas.

Loveland, Colo., artist Aaron Ristau has a fascination with creating art that blends nostalgic aesthetics with contemporary function.  His whimsical mechanisms and functional lighting assemblages are an intricate integration and redefinition of reclaimed components he discovers at yard sales, attics, garages and auctions.  Ristau’s inspiration for light sculpture began with his exposure to the “Marfa Lights” phenomena while living in the Big Bend, Texas area artist community from 1998 to 2003.  With a professional background in industrial technology, interdisciplinary fabrication and repair, Ristau currently works as an installation and fabrication technician at ARC Science Simulations, creators of the OmniGlobe®, in Loveland, Colo.

“Aaron’s Art Lab 2010″ runs August 13 through September 4.  Gallery hours are Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Admission is free.  For more information, please call Aaron Ristau at (970) 420-4523.

About Aaron Ristau

Loveland, Colo., artist Aaron Ristau has a fascination with creating art that blends nostalgic aesthetics with contemporary function.  His whimsical mechanisms and functional lighting assemblages are an intricate integration and redefinition of reclaimed components he discovers at yard sales, attics, garages and auctions.  With a professional background in industrial technology, interdisciplinary fabrication and repair, Ristau currently works as an installation and fabrication technician at ARC Science Simulations, creators of the OmniGlobe®, in Loveland, Colo.  For more information, please visit www.aaronristau.com.

About Art Lab Loveland

You’ve seen those empty storefronts as you’ve wandered the streets of downtown Loveland.  They look like buildings that need some energy to make them happy again.  That’s what Art Lab Loveland is all about.  We’re temporarily filling those wonderful buildings with art, innovation, music, smiling faces.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtopWAkSNV8

Video will be available ASAP. Fort Collins based band Speed Whiskers will be performing, too!

Video of Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium St. Johnsburry, Vt. 6-23-10

Video of Regina mechanical music box Fairbanks Museum, Vt.

Aaron Ristau release pdf

For Immediate Release

Contacts:   Aaron Ristau                                   Heather Zoccali

Artist                                                                  Art Lab Fort Collins

(970) 669-1816                                                  (970) 217-7448

aaron@aaronristau.com heather@artlabfortcollins.org

artist Aaron Ristau showcased at Art lab fort collins

Gallery to Host Opening Reception July 2

Fort Collins, Colo. (June 14, 2010) – Artist Aaron Ristau’s most recent artwork will be debuted to the public at his upcoming solo exhibition, “Aaron’s Art Lab 2010.”  Art Lab Fort Collins will host Ristau and his work at its gallery in Old Town Fort Collins at 239 Linden St.  An opening night reception will be held on July 2 from 6 to 9 p.m., where local band Speed Whiskers will perform live.

His new collection features technology recycled and re-crafted into sculpture.  More than 25 light and kinetic sculptures will be featured including a custom computer mouse, mechanical sculptures, a remote controlled spacecraft light sculpture, retro punk-style accessories, mobiles, floor lamps, wall sculptures, chandeliers and night lights.

Ristau’s art has previously been exhibited at several galleries throughout Texas and Colorado and featured at MAKE Magazine’s 2008 Maker Faire in Austin, Texas.

Loveland, Colo., artist Aaron Ristau has a fascination with creating art that blends nostalgic aesthetics with contemporary function.  His whimsical mechanisms and functional lighting assemblages are an intricate integration and redefinition of reclaimed components he discovers at yard sales, attics, garages and auctions.  Ristau’s inspiration for light sculpture began with his exposure to the “Marfa Lights” phenomena while living in the Big Bend, Texas area artist community from 1998 to 2003.  With a professional background in industrial technology, interdisciplinary fabrication and repair, Ristau currently works as an installation and fabrication technician at ARC Science Simulations, creators of the OmniGlobe®, in Loveland, Colo.

“Aaron’s Art Lab 2010″ runs July 2 through July 10.  Gallery hours are Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Admission is free.  For more information, please call Aaron Ristau at (970) 669-1816.

About Aaron Ristau

Loveland, Colo., artist Aaron Ristau has a fascination with creating art that blends nostalgic aesthetics with contemporary function.  His whimsical mechanisms and

functional lighting assemblages are an intricate integration and redefinition of reclaimed components he discovers at yard sales, attics, garages and auctions.  With a professional background in industrial technology, interdisciplinary fabrication and repair,

Ristau currently works as an installation and fabrication technician at ARC Science Simulations, creators of the OmniGlobe®, in Loveland, Colo.  For more information, please visit www.aaronristau.com.

About Art Lab Fort Collins

You’ve seen those empty storefronts as you’ve wandered the streets of Old Town Fort Collins.  They look like buildings that need some energy to make them happy again.  That’s what Art Lab Fort Collins is all about.  We’re temporarily filling those wonderful buildings with art, innovation, music, smiling faces until a new tenant comes along.  When a new tenant decides to move in, we just move on to the next empty space.  Watch the empty storefronts for something new in Old Town.  For more information, please visit www.artlabfortcollins.org.

Atomic, Big Red, and Paducah Night Light